Postgraduate study

Conference grants

Apply for funding to attend or present a paper at a conference.

Grants from this fund are intended to be a contribution towards the expenses incurred by registered PhD students in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).

Grants during Covid-19 and beyond

As more in-person conference are staring to take place, we invite students to submit requests to cover registration costs associated with attending online conferences as well as in-person conferences.

Students are required to be presenting a paper at an in-person conference in order to be considered for funding.

Priority will be given to students who present a paper at a virtual conference, but presenting is not a requirement in those instances.

A maximum grant of £100 per virtual conference and £400 per in-person will be awarded.  Students may apply for a number of conferences during an academic year, but preference will be given to students who have not attended a conference.  You can submit applications at any time, but the fund will operate on a first-come-first served basis.

Students are advised to thoroughly investigate the legitimacy of the conference before making any upfront payments through webpages.  This applies whether presenting a paper or attending the conference.  Make enquiries about the scale and reputation of the conference before investing your time and money.  You should speak to your supervisor before applying for the conference grant.

In order to apply for the conference grant, you are required to complete an online form. Applications must be received at least two weeks before the conference is due to take place.

Complete the online form to apply for a conference grant

Your application must clearly state the benefits of the conference in terms of study and career development.  If your application is approved, the expenses will only be reimbursed where receipts or other electronic proof of expenses have been submitted. The application form will take you through the steps for reimbursement once approved.

Rules of the grant

  • Applicants must be matriculated PhD students in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures.
  • Claims by students outwith the first three years of full-time (or 6 years part-time) study will normally not be considered. Students in their writing up year in 2021-22 may however exceptionally make a claim to attend an in-person conference.
  • If the conference is in-person (requires physical travel), then students must have been accepted to present a paper. (max £400)
  • Online conference attendance does not require that applicants present a paper (max £100).
  • Claims by students who are in receipt of a scholarship that includes funding for research expenses or training will not be considered.
  • Applications must include the conference website link in the application.
  • Applications must be supported by the applicant’s supervisor. They will be automatically contacted once you have completed the form.
  • Funds will be reimbursed and not provided up-front
  • Full receipts must be submitted.
  • Applications must be approved prior to attending the conference.
  • Priority will be given to students who have not previously applied in that academic year.
  • Applications are considered on a first-come-first-served basis until the fund is exhausted.
  • If your expenditure exceeds the amount that was approved, we do not guarantee to cover the additional costs.